SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
3 C
I
n an era of escalated air-
line ticket prices and extra
travel expenses, road trips
have emerged once more as a
popular and cost-conscious
mode of vacationing for indi-
viduals and families.
Nearly 80 percent of leisure
trips in 2012 were made by
car, says the U.S. Travel
Association. Various trips
exist that can take you through
urban or rural areas.
Those making road trips
may be concerned about keep-
ing costs down, particularly if
saving money is the catalyst
behind the road trip vacation.
The following are a few tips
to stretch dollars that much
further on your next road trip.
Dine out sparingly. Road
stops and drive-thru food
expenditures can quickly add
up during the course of a road
trip. Therefore, pack the
majority of the food you will
eat in a cooler. Not only will
this save money, it will mean
food is at the ready when
hunger strikes.
Food need not be all cold
snacks, like sandwiches.
Frozen burgers or refrigerated
frankfurters can be cooked on
a camp stove or tossed on a
grill at a park’s picnic area.
Save restaurant dining as a
special treat during the vaca-
tion.
Look for inexpensive
lodging. While on a road trip
you may need to compromise
some of the comforts of home
to save some money. Motel
rates are another trip budget-
buster. But by mixing
overnights at motels with less
expensive options you may be
able to mitigate costs.
Camp out at a safe campsite
and purchase a shower ticket
so you can enjoy a cheap, hot
shower the next day. Spend a
few nights under the stars; just
be sure you have the right gear.
Some also like to plan road
trip routes between where rel-
atives live and make pit stops
at a friend or family member’s
home. When seeking motels,
try to bargain and see if you’re
eligible for any rebates or
coupons due to age or military
status.
Map out cheaper gas sta-
tions. Today’s smartphones
have apps that enable you to
find nearby gas stations. Such
apps may even shed light on
which filling stations offer the
best prices on gasoline.
Dont speed. In addition to
being illegal, speeding wastes
gas. Stick to the speed limit to
avoid potentially costly tickets
and improve fuel efficiency.
Bring friends along.
Friends will not only make the
trip more fun, but they also can
take turns driving and sharing
the costs of the excursion.
Join a roadside assistance
club. Vehicle problems are
inevitable if you are a frequent
road-tripper who’s driving an
older car.
Avoid potentially costly
towing costs by joining a road-
side assistance club that will
pay for your vehicle to be
towed if necessary.
Have the proper paper-
work. Keep a current copy of
your car registration, license
and proof of insurance with
you on a road trip. This makes
it much easier to deal with
traffic stops along the way.
Individuals and their passen-
gers planning on visiting
another country should have
their passports available and
follow the laws regarding
bringing food or goods over
the border to avoid fines.
Road trips can be enjoyable
excursions that cost far less
than other vacations. Road-
trippers can stretch funds even
further with some handy tips.
—Metro
Gil Dunning, mechanic, and Shasta and Kevin McMullen, owners, operate Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair,
located at 345 Highway 101, which has been serving this community’s auto needs since 1945.
oberg’s Complete
Auto Repair is here to
help you with all of
your car’s needs; from routine
oil changes to major car
repairs they have been doing
this for more than 71 years.
As third generation owners,
Kevin and Shasta McMullen
H
We Take Your Safety Seriously
FREE Safety
INSPECTION
WITH ANY SERVICE
want to continue the family
tradition with friendly, honest
hometown service to their cus-
tomers with a smile.
These are changing times
and we must keep our vehicles
working. So doing preventa-
tive maintenance is a must.
Changing your oil regularly
and having a safety check
done can catch the “big
things” before they happen.
Making sure there are no leaks
in your exhaust system
because carbon monoxide is a
poisonous, odorless gas.
Also, if your car overheats,
stop as soon as possible and
Prevent bugs, sap from ruining a vehicle
Keeping vehicles looking
pristine requires care and dili-
gent cleaning. So many day-to-
day activities and environmen-
tal materials have the potential
to damage the finish on cars
and trucks.
Spring and summer are prime
seasons for sap, birds and insects.
These times of year tend to see
an uptick in road work as well,
and such projects can contribute
to damage caused by loose
asphalt, gravel and tar.
Addressing problems result-
ing from tree sap, insect and
bird droppings and tar may not
be something to look forward
to, but it is necessary to keep
cars looking pristine.
Tree sap
Although tree sap won’t
cause immediate damage to
vehicle paint, it should not be
ignored. Over time, sap can
become more difficult to
remove, etch through the clear
4515 Hwy. 101 N.
Florence, OR 97439
CALL 541-997-5049
No Appointment Necessary
JUST FOR SENIORS
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SIUSLAW AUTOMOTIVE & TOWING
Repair • Towing • Trucks • Motor Homes • Cars • Lock Outs
Other services include alarm systems, stereos, accessories,
oil changes and custom work.
Damage-Free Towing
Monty Deardorff, Owner • 84829 Hwy 101 S, Florence, OR 97439
(541)
997-6669
Labor Only. Offer good with
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FULL SERVICE SHOP offering
•Anti-lock Brake Systems
(ASE Certified)
* Tune-ups • Water Pumps
• Complete Engine Repair
• Belts & Hoses
NAPA CAR
CARE CENTER
• Alternators • Starters
• Tires • Alignments
• Brakes • Shocks & Struts
• Suspension Repair
• All makes & models,
• Safety Checks
foreign & domestic
• Driveline Work
• Trailer Hitches
• CV Joints/CV
Joint Axles/U-Joints • Trailer Brakes
• Air Conditioning
WRITTEN WARRANTY
ON ALL REPAIRS
coat on the vehicle and cause
discoloration. When the tem-
perature is hot, damage from
sap can accelerate.
On windows and wind-
shields, drivers may be able to
gently remove dried sap with a
razor blade. However, use
cleaning products on more del-
icate paint. Automotive stores
sell speciality sap and tar
cleaners. Otherwise, you can
try rubbing alcohol. It may
take a few attempts to remove
sap entirely.
Insects & bird droppings
THE DIFFERENCE
IS THE SERVICE
It’s our job to make car
care easy, affordable
and convenient for our
customers, and we take
that responsibility
seriously. That’s why we
offer low prices,
guaranteed repairs and
personalized service for
you and your car.
turn off the engine and let it
cool down. Overheating caus-
es 85 percent of the major
damage to engines.
So come by and let Kevin
or Gil help you out with all
your car’s needs at 345
Highway 101 in Florence, or
call 541-997-2413.
541•999•6078
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
FACEBOOK.COM/PETERSENAUTODETAIL
Splattered bugs and avian
surprises dropped from above
can be a messy, unsightly nui-
sance. Their acidic composi-
tion also may cause them to
damage paint over time. Bugs
and droppings can be sticky, so
you will need to work with
something that will remove the
splatter without removing the
paint in the process. Always
test any product you use in an
inconspicuous spot first to
make sure it doesn’t damage or
discolor your the paint.
Insects or droppings that are
fresh may come off relatively
easily with a good washing or
hosing off of the car. Retailers
also sell specialty insect
sponges to remove bugs and
other debris.
Tar
Soap and water will do little
to remove tar and other petro-
leum-based products from
vehicles. Commercial tar
removal products use a strong
solvent or detergent to loosen
the tar. This may include
kerosene, mineral spirits or
another item mixed with lubri-
cants. Go slowly and use cau-
tion so that you remove the tar
and not the paint.
Drivers who are hesitant to
clean their vehicles of common
residue can have their cars or
trucks professionally detailed,
leaving the work in the hands
of experts. —Metro
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Stretch dollars on Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair
your next road trip
celebrates 71 years of service